Hershey, PA vs State College, PA

Hershey, PA and State College, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Hershey scores 99 while State College scores 104 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hershey is $1,241/month compared to $1,229/month in State College — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while State College has cheaper rent, Hershey actually has lower median home values ($339,300 vs $414,400).

Median household income in Hershey is $78,750 compared to $47,132 in State College (+67.1%). Hershey offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hershey spend roughly 18.9% of their income on rent, less than the 31.3% in State College. The Hershey ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.